Author Topic: Pick-up height and neck relief  (Read 430 times)

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« on: February 12, 2008, 01:41:22 PM »
I was wondering how the distance between the pick-ups and the strings effects the tone or anything for that matter, and some general tips or rules for adjusting the height of the pick-ups.  
 
Also what is the general consensus on neck relief (where do you want it, do you want any?)

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2008, 01:56:14 PM »


 

  (Message edited by davehouck on February 13, 2008)

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2008, 01:58:21 PM »


 

  (Message edited by davehouck on February 13, 2008)

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2008, 01:59:52 PM »


 

  (Message edited by davehouck on February 13, 2008)

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2008, 02:02:19 PM »
I also need to insure it, how do i go about claiming its value?

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2008, 02:04:27 PM »





funkyjazzjunky

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2008, 02:13:18 PM »
1st, tell us about that wonderful bass.
 
What is the top wood? (Walnut?)
What is the back wood? (Koa?)

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2008, 02:22:43 PM »
Top is walnut, maple veneer, purpleheart veneer, mahogany body. (I believe)

mica

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2008, 07:57:59 PM »
There is one rule on adjusting the height of the pickups: don't break the pickups by adjusting improperly. Make sure you read about the springless pickup height in the manual first.
 
The pickups look close the height we use on a new setup for a bass with one preamp. This is because the neck pickup will be louder than the bridge pickup since it's up where the string moves more. So we set the heighth lower than the softer bridge pickup and the pan/blend control doesn't have significant volume change as you go between the pickups.  
 
However, there's nothing that says you have to do it that way. It's very difficult to describe the difference in sound that changing the pickup heighth produces, though you'll surely be able to hear a difference. We think the best thing to do is to leave it alone if you're satisfied, or explore if you're not or even if you're just curious - you can always set the heighths back to where they were.  
 
As far as relief goes, most players seem to benefit from at least some small relief in the neck. This is a broad generalization of course. There's many players who like a perfectly straight neck too. It's more dependent on your individual technique and the force you impart on the strings when you play.  
 
All this is probably not much help, since I just want you to experiment on your own and come to your own conclusions since every player is different. Others will likely give you some advice based on their own experiences.  
 
And I do think you're right about the woods, Frank. It's a nice piece of Mahogany on the back.

white_cloud

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2008, 06:49:21 AM »
Wow, that is a nice bass!
 
In fact its beautiful!
 
I would try to have the neck as straight as I could get it and then take it from there with the subsequent bridge, nut setup adjustments to get the action of your choice!
 
If you want some neck relief try to shoot for having a slight relief from the first fret to the eighth/ninth - the rest of the neck being straight!
 
I would also totally agree with Micas post about the pickup heights!

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2008, 08:44:47 AM »
I bought this used, hence the case, so I don't have the 1/4 wrench needed. right now there is relief from the first fret to the seventh. It plays beautifully in the low range but the action is too high and the intonation is off in the higher ranges.
 
What kind of Walnut top is this? It seems like there is some flaming beside the neck where it meets the body and in between the pick-ups. and it has this great coco bolo like figure (for lack of a better description) that I haven't seen all that often with Walnut. The pictures don't do the bass much justice, the top is not so pale in real life.

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2008, 09:08:06 AM »
This bass doesn't have a preamp in it does it?

keith_h

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2008, 09:23:22 AM »
Frank,
Yes it has a preamp. All Alembics are active instruments. The 9V battery is in the main control compartment and is switched on and off by the 1/4 plug. So be sure you unplug it when not in use.  
 
Keith

adriaan

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2008, 09:29:58 AM »
Just read Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass - that's all you really need to know on how to set action and relief, in a surprisingly short text.
 
You'll be surprised how much room for adjustment you have on an Alembic, and what you can do yourself without having to go to a luthier.
 
I sometimes get to the point where I'm dialing in some extra height on the action, because playing can become a little too easy. And sometimes that little bit of controlled string rattle is just the thing you need.

frank

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Pick-up height and neck relief
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2008, 09:53:31 AM »
Ya, I checked joeys set up guide out, and am excited to start my set up.  
 
Can anyone tell me about that walnut top though? Whats the deal with it It seems like there is some flaming beside the neck where it meets the body and in between the pick-ups. and it has this great coco bolo like figure (for lack of a better description) that I haven't seen all that often with Walnut.